Iowa will kick themselves for a long time if they have a chance to get Ben McCollum and don’t
Why not Ben McCollum?
- Thread starter BrewHawk
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Iowa will kick themselves for a long time if they have a chance to get Ben McCollum and don’t
something will happen, these next 4-6 weeks will set the direction of the program for the future.
Ben McCollum is who I want.
Make it happen Beth.
These next two games (embarrassing losses) HAVE to be the end of the road for Fran. We are already multiple years PAST when any other program would have already made a change.
Make it happen Beth.
These next two games (embarrassing losses) HAVE to be the end of the road for Fran. We are already multiple years PAST when any other program would have already made a change.
IMO, after seeing his one year success at Drake with D2 players, not hiring Ben McCollum (from both a coaching as well as financial standpoint) would be a horrible miss.
Doesn’t mean he can’t recruit, either……recruiting is relative. Obviously he can “coach’emm up”….
I am all McCollum at this point and think he should be Iowa's main target.
Young
Has a physical system that should thrive in the B10
Has won at every level
TONS of tournament high pressure experience
Probably could get him on the cheap right now
Young
Has a physical system that should thrive in the B10
Has won at every level
TONS of tournament high pressure experience
Probably could get him on the cheap right now
The reason why I really like DeVries is that he managed to recruit multiple legit high major players to Drake last year and not just his son either. Specifically, I'm talking about Atin Wright and Darnell Brodie. Being able to get guys like that at Drake is very impressive and signals serious recruiting chops. He'll need that at Iowa where recruiting will be a major uphill battle, especially at first.
At this point I am not sure (of McCollum and DeVries) I would prefer. Hard to evaluate candidates when you do not know of the other candidates. I just know McCaffery needs to be moving on IMO.
Someone on here said it and I agree with it. I think Devries is a good coach and McCollum is an excellent coach.
I tend to be leaning toward McCollum as well
I would have no problem with either one even though I lean towards McCollum. The Iowa fan base however would have a huge problem if Fran is back again next year. If you think Carver was empty this year, you haven't seen anything yet.
I'm on board with McCollum as first choice. Still needs to be a proper search and vetting. There could be other guys like him out there that are worth checking out.
The most important thing that the vast majority can agree on is that Fran needs to move on after the season ends.
The most important thing that the vast majority can agree on is that Fran needs to move on after the season ends.
If it’s 6 weeks, it may be too late. If something is to happen it needs to happen quickly. Lots of schools will be looking for a new coach and I’d guess Mcollum is up there on most short lists.
It is unlikely next season is going to produce any better results than what has been typical under Fran. And fans are not going to suddenly start to show up next year, especially after the disaster this season has been.
We are going to find out very soon how important the men’s basketball team is to the University.
I have a feeling Hawk fans are not going to be happy.
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If McCollum becomes the next Iowa head coach will be interesting to see how many on current roster will stay or if he’ll keep Spurlock. From watching Drake these guys would probably be around.
Mulvey
Kingsbury
Koch
Dix if he doesn’t get a big NIL offer somewhere else.
Tradjo maybe?
Lewis if Spurlock stays
Other recruits maybe Briscoe doubtful on the kid from Connecticut.
Everyone else probably moves on.
Mulvey
Kingsbury
Koch
Dix if he doesn’t get a big NIL offer somewhere else.
Tradjo maybe?
Lewis if Spurlock stays
Other recruits maybe Briscoe doubtful on the kid from Connecticut.
Everyone else probably moves on.
McCullom seems like a very strong candidate. DeVries seems less likely, because Iowa isn't really a step up. I like the idea of getting an up-and-coming coach. Do his best current players have eligibility left? Main question for me would be his ability to bring in high level recruits.
Indiana media is all over McCullom. I don't see how he picks Iowa over Indiana.
Blue blood in B10.
Big NIL bank account, already paying a player over 1 million. Not promises of what might happen.
Great fan base that fills assembly hall.
Blue blood in B10.
Big NIL bank account, already paying a player over 1 million. Not promises of what might happen.
Great fan base that fills assembly hall.
This is the reason. Unfortunately I think it will come true. Fran stays at Iowa.
McCollum is a better fit for Iowa because he's won big in the past.
And he doesn't have a $4M+ buyout.
I would argue that McCollum is the best fit because his coaching record seems to prove that he "does more with less".
Like I said before, the Hawkeye roster will never be full of 4 & 5 star guys, ala the true blue bloods out there in the CBB world. It won't. So the AD needs to find a guy who will make the most of what he's got - and will have, in the future - to work with.
All signs point to that guy being Ben McCollum.
Winning and some money will bring in a few random 4 & 5* guys - via HS recruits and/or the portal - but need a coach who can turn scrap metal into something valuable to get some of those recruiting 'wins'.
Don’t discredit the pressure of a job like Indiana. They have ran the last 4 coaches out of town. They fired Crean one season after he won the B10 and went to the sweet 16. You pull that off at Iowa and they’ll ink you to a lifetime deal.
That’s why you’ve seen some coaches - like Scott Drew - turn down blue blood offers.
I have no idea what he is thinking. But McCollum has tons of ties to Iowa City and the job pressure would be basically nonexistent. That means something to some people.
Stirtz and Banks are both JRs.
Manyawa is a SO.
Those three would for sure be talented enough to come along.
I have been high on BM being the next coach for a while because he wouldn't have to recruit out of this world here to compete, he would just need to find the right guys that fit his system. He obviously knows what that looks like.
IJA? I think if a new coach is hired quickly and jumps on it, they can keep this kid. That would be a good thing.
This from Drake’s Roster Bio….(part of it):
(Holy smokes)
McCollum's individual accolades were a direct result of the high-level players he recruited and instructed. His Bearcat squads captured a dozen MIAA regular season titles, eight MIAA tournament crowns, and over the past eight seasons has averaged more than 31 wins per year and compiled a record of 253-21 (92.3 win percentage) since 2016.
During McCollum's tenure, the Bearcats' single season win totals were staggering. He led the team to at least 21 wins in each of the last 13 seasons. Five of those years included 30+ wins highlighted by an undefeated 38-0 campaign in 2018-19. That season marked just the fifth instance in Division II history that a team ran the table through the regular and postseasons.
(Holy smokes)
McCollum's individual accolades were a direct result of the high-level players he recruited and instructed. His Bearcat squads captured a dozen MIAA regular season titles, eight MIAA tournament crowns, and over the past eight seasons has averaged more than 31 wins per year and compiled a record of 253-21 (92.3 win percentage) since 2016.
During McCollum's tenure, the Bearcats' single season win totals were staggering. He led the team to at least 21 wins in each of the last 13 seasons. Five of those years included 30+ wins highlighted by an undefeated 38-0 campaign in 2018-19. That season marked just the fifth instance in Division II history that a team ran the table through the regular and postseasons.
I laugh at how our men’s program is so bad we’re excited to get the coach from Drake … Fans are so desperate for change (I am beyond ready for change) … but let’s open up the search as I am confident there are other coaches out there beside just the two Iowa guys … overall, Iowa athletics are in good shape compared to many other schools. We have money, tv, and passionate fans (excluding current state of men’s team)…
I don’t know who else is out there … but I do know Beth has to get it right the first time…Maybe it is Ben M … he has a nice track record … so did Alford and Lick … just saying let’s not assume the same success will transfer to the Big10
GET THE BEST COACH AVAILABLE… I don’t care if that guy is coaching semi pro in Ireland … Just get it right
I don’t know who else is out there … but I do know Beth has to get it right the first time…Maybe it is Ben M … he has a nice track record … so did Alford and Lick … just saying let’s not assume the same success will transfer to the Big10
GET THE BEST COACH AVAILABLE… I don’t care if that guy is coaching semi pro in Ireland … Just get it right
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Cronin, much like Buzz Williams, is a somewhat successful coach, who will wear out his welcome regardless of the school. He’s a Cincy guy, who has deep roots in the area. While he’s had some success at UCLA, if IU is interested, I think he’d listen to get closer to home. Probably won’t win the press conference (his personality rarely does), but might win a lot of games.
Side note…while the money is good for these new West coast Big 10 schools, I have to believe the crossing of 2-3 time zones multiple times per season, is not what they signed up for and can be a real grind.
Side note…while the money is good for these new West coast Big 10 schools, I have to believe the crossing of 2-3 time zones multiple times per season, is not what they signed up for and can be a real grind.
First I’ve seen of Drake this year. Not a great first impression. 3 points in the first 7 minutes of the game. Flashbacks to Lick ball…
Picked a bad day to have their worst game of the season
I’m sure there’s a good chance that I just watched the worst half they’ve played all year, but still, that was discouraging. Looked like Lickliters Iowa teams.
